Honoring National Snack Food Month: Touring Herr’s Potato Chip Factory

I’m right there with you. You open the bag of chips. You peek inside. There’s 13 fucking chips in there. That’s it. Why so little chips? Why such an inflated bag?

I don’t know all of the answers, but I do know something that might infuriate you even more.

Yesterday I toured the Herr’s Snack Factory. If you live outside the Mid-Atlantic, you may not be familiar with the greatest brand of potato chips. You may actually enjoy Lays, you poor soul. (Or you’re on team Utz, another brand soaring from Maine to North Carolina, and then you probably lack a chromosome for identifying superior potato chips.)

Anyway, I learned a few things from the factory tour. On a personal level, my boyfriend and I realized we were the only potato chip lovers that weren’t either parents or 5 year olds.

On potato chip level, I learned:

  1. 4 pounds of potatoes yield 1 pound of potato chips.
  2. 1 inch of a potato yields 17 potato chips.
  3. It takes 6-7 minutes for a whole potato to turn into a chip.
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Feed Us Back: Comments of the Week

chips

– I have to say I’m a little surprised at the traditionalist streak in all you ESers, with a full 44 percent of you saying a classic roast is the only way to do the Thanksgiving turkey. If you’re not quite convinced, but sure to take a listen to the other ideas on our Thanksgiving turkey podcast.

– If you liked the Lasagna Lugger, don’t miss Summer‘s review of it’s competitor, the Arctic Zone Deluxe Travelin’ Chef.

– Everyone has their own take on what makes the perfect potato chip, but I’m partial to erica‘s vivid description:

Ruffles; pfffft. i will eat Ruffles or Lays, but i like my chip to lacerate the roof of my mouth if i insert it wrong.

Amen. No pain, no gain.

(Photo: bunchofpants)